SLIP BRIDGE GETS READY FOR NEW SEAFRONT HOME

LEON WATSON - 27 June 2005

Swansea's Slip Bridge will be transferred to its new home next month after the completion of work to give it a new lease of life. Specialist lifting equipment will be drafted in to lift the bridge into position at its new home along the seafront.

The work will take place on Sunday July 10.The Slip Bridge originally spanned Oystermouth Road but was taken down following an inspection which highlighted its poor condition.

It would have needed hundreds of thousands of pounds spending on it.Specialist bridge contractors have been busy carrying out vital steel repairs to the landmark structure and making sure the bridge can withstand the forces of nature for many more years to come.

Planning permission was recently approved by Swansea Council to allow the bridge to be transferred to its new home, where it will form part of the popular walking and cycle route along Swansea's seafront.

John Hague, Swansea Council's cabinet member for the environment said: "This is an exciting project which will give the bridge a new lease of life and remain as a prominent and striking feature of Swansea Bay."

People on the foreshore path yesterday gave the idea cautious welcome.

Cyclist Kevin Davies, aged 43, of The Grove in the city's Uplands added: "I think it will become quite a focal point in time. But it will also stand out until people get used to it."

Walker Peter Vaughan, aged 56, of Blackpill said: "I still think it is a shame it wasn't kept where it was. It would have served a more useful purpose there."

Officials say it will be necessary to close a section of Oystermouth Road to carry out the operation.

Local police will manage a diversionary route along Bryn Road and Gorse Lane.

A council spokesman added: "The closure will take place from midnight on Saturday, July 9. It is hoped the road will open again by midday on Sunday July 10."